The beauty, excitement and intensity of summer sports
When summer hits, it really slows down for us sports editors.
Going from spring sports insanity – doubleheaders, three events happening at the same time at the same place, cold weather in April, sunburn weather by early June – to the much more settled down version of the summer is both nice and frustrating at the same time.
There are those times where you feel relieved you finally get to take a break after three grueling but fun seasons.
But there’s also those times where you find yourself extremely bored and wanting to go cover something. Anything, really.
These days, however, I simply love to just keep going.
And this last week or so has proven that, as I’ve gotten to experience how truly underrated, under-appreciated and unique the summer sports scene is in this area.
For instance, let’s go back to earlier this week as the Cheboygan Minor Girls All Stars squared off against Rogers City in a crucial District 13 softball clash in Indian River.
If you’re one of those people who thinks the youth atmosphere can’t compare to the high school atmosphere, think again.
Right as I walked near the field, I could feel the energy, the intensity and the passion of the fans present to watch these youngsters do battle against one another. As I sat down, chatted and listened to the people around me, I almost felt like I was at a varsity high school basketball game with how fans were so into it. And that’s a wonderful thing as long as everybody’s properly behaved, of course. Sure, you do get the occasional yahoos who bring the fun down for everyone, but all in all, it’s an enjoyable experience.
It’s really part of why I enjoy summer sports around here, but baseball and softball aren't the only fun things going on.
Even with the next high school sports season not slated to begin until August, that doesn’t mean people aren't getting ready for their respective sports, even if they might not begin until wintertime.
Like those Little League games, I felt the same kind of intensity and excitement from spectators at Wednesday's boys basketball scrimmage in Pellston, which featured the host Hornets, Cheboygan Chiefs, Harbor Springs Rams and Ellsworth Lancers.
Being able to interact with Cheboygan coach Jason Friday and his players, as well as Pellston coach Nate Meinke, former Pellston coach Larry Cassidy, and several parents I haven’t seen in a while, it was just a joy to be around it all.
And, oh yeah, the basketball was pretty fun to watch, too.
See, the summer isn’t so bad after all for us sports writers, especially knowing that football 7-on-7 sessions and camps are coming soon as well.
And don’t worry, horseshoe players and fishermen. I will eventually head over your way very soon.
For somebody who’s always so locked in when it comes to the fall, winter and spring sports season, I’ve really come to appreciate that summer for sports should never be overlooked up here.
The last few days of covering these events have proven that summer is indeed awesome and underrated.
Jared Greenleaf is the sports editor of the Cheboygan Daily Tribune. He can be reached at jgreenleaf@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: The beauty, excitement and intensity of summer sports
